2. Wto bindings

1. The EU bound all tariff lines. In general, applied tariffs are at their bound rates. The average bound tariff rate is 6.4%.

2. The WTO certified Schedule of Concessions reflecting the EU's enlargement from 12 to 15 member States became effective in February 2010.⁴³ The EU's commitments with respect to agricultural market access, domestic support, and export subsidies to reflect the enlargement from 15 to 27 member States have not yet been formally agreed in the WTO and consolidated in the EU's Schedule (see Chapter II(3)).

3. The EU is covered by the collective General Council waiver suspending the application of GATT binding disciplines to allow WTO Members to implement the HS 2007 changes pending the incorporation of these changes into their schedules of concessions.⁴⁴ This waiver expires in December 2011.

3. Tariff suspensions

1. The Council may approve "autonomous" tariff suspensions and quotas on the basis of a proposal from the Commission. These are temporary measures defined as "an exception to the normal state of affairs [that] permit the total ... or partial waiver ... of the normal duties applicable to imported goods".⁴⁵ According to the Commission, these measures allow enterprises to obtain supplies at a lower cost, thus improving their competitive capacity and stimulating economic activity in the EU. In addition to raw materials and semi-finished goods not available within the EU, tariff suspensions may cover finished products and manufacturing equipment, subject to conditions. Once an autonomous tariff suspension has been approved for a particular good, any person may import that good at the autonomous tariff rate.

2. Member States transmit requests for autonomous tariff suspensions to the Commission, which examines them with the assistance of the Economic Tariff Questions Group representing the industries of each member State. In 2011, 1.3% of tariff lines are subject to autonomous tariff suspensions, compared with 1.4% in 2008. According to the Commission, as a general rule autonomous tariff suspensions are opened for a period of five years, and are automatically prolonged if they are used sufficiently. The Commission notes that an early termination of these measures is possible if economic circumstances change; measures are reviewed regularly, and interested parties may request to delete them. Products covered include basic chemicals, components for the microelectronics industry, and components for heavy and industrial machinery.

4. Preferential tariffs